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CHEAP GREENHOUSES. 
Probably no question has been asked so often of our 
leading florists, within the past three years, by gentle¬ 
men as this: “How can I build and beat a cheap 
greenhouse.” And for a long time none could give a 
satisfactory answer. Most conservatories and green¬ 
houses hitherto erected have been of a costly character, 
from |2,000 upward, each requir¬ 
ing special heating apparatus, and 
the special attention of one per¬ 
son, who must always be present. 
But the taste for plant growing 
within doors has advanced so rap¬ 
idly in the last three years that 
many ladies and gentlemen have 
begun the erection of small con¬ 
servatories, which are connected 
with the main portion of their 
dwellings, and open immediately 
into the parlors, libraries or sitting 
rooms. Bay windows, too, have 
multiplied—have gradually be¬ 
come filled with a large and often 
handsome collection of in-door 
plants; and these, too, have begun 
to feel the necessity of better heat¬ 
ing arrangements (especially in 
cold nights) than the usual air of 
the room. 
It is our pleasure at last to say that the much de¬ 
sired invention has appeared, which seems to us most 
perfectly adapted to the successful heating and opera¬ 
tion of any greenhouse of this character. 
The accompanying illustration represents a full view 
of a small greenhouse, with hot water pipes surround¬ 
ing the base inside, and supplied from a small base- 
burning water-heater, placed in the cellar or base¬ 
ment of the adjoining building. 
It is one of new construction by Hitehings & 
Co., of this city, who have adapted it especially 
to the purpose for which needed. 
Its heating capacity is sufficient to heat about 
200 feet of pipe surface, and suitable to heat a 
conservatory that has about 600 square feet of 
glass on the roof, sides and ends. 
The fire chamber is surrounded by water, as is 
also the ash pit, so as to economize the fuel to the 
fullest extent and insure perfect safety. They are 
easily managed, and with as little care as the 
ordinary hasp-burning stoves. 
The conservatory illustrated in our plan is 
twenty-four feet long and fourteen feet wide, con¬ 
nected with and communicating with the parlor. 
The cost of heater, with pipes in conservatory, 
all complete, will vary from $150 to $200, accord¬ 
ing to the size of conservatory, position of boil¬ 
er, etc. 
And the total cost of greenhouse complete, 
with pipes, boiler, etc., is estimated at about $600. 
Possibly any one with mechanical ingenuity to 
make his own conservatory need not spend over 
$350 to $400. The heater must be placed im¬ 
mediately near a chimney, where there is a good 
draught, and once adjusted, needs no looking after for 
hours. 
Many would like to see the heater do double duty, 
of heating both conservatory and parlor, but such can 
not be conveniently arranged. Each room requires its 
own apparatus. 
The heater described here will maintain sufficient 
heat in the conservatory; the temperature will not fall 
below sixty degrees in very cold days. 
It seems, in our opinion, to meet the purpose most 
admirably, and we will be happy to forward any letter 
from parties who wish to correspond with the manu¬ 
facturer for its erection. 
Plan toe Heating a Small Conservatory. 
CONSERVATORY. 
In compliance with the request of A. S. C. A. in the 
June number of the Cabinet, I will say that a coal 
stove heats both sitting room and conservatory. Last 
winter was its first trial, and I had many fears that 
it would not be sufficient, but happily they were 
all proved needless. On very cold nights I often 
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Plan op Boiler for Small Conservatory. 
slipped papers in behind the plants, to prevent them 
coming in contact with the frosty panes, and a few 
times carried some of the more tender ones into the 
sitting room to spend the night. We of course con¬ 
sumed more coal, but were more than repaid in beauty 
and fragrance. Our plants were an unfailing source 
of interest and enjoyment all winter long. I had no 
trouble with worms or red spiders, and indeed I never 
have had any serious trouble with the latter, even in 
a sitting room. Think a dish or two of water, fresh 
every day, placed on the shelves between the plants, 
will, by evaporation, keep the under sides of the leaves 
moist and prevent their ravages. Had some trouble 
with aphis, but by plunging the small plants infested 
with them head first into a pail of tobacco tea, and 
and washing the leaves and stalks of larger ones in the 
same, was able to keep them in check. 
Now let me introduce you to 
some of the pleasant little people 
_who made our home so cheerful 
and attractive last winter. There 
is a family of Carnations of which 
my especial favorite is Pres. De- 
graw Bather small of stature, 
but of so generous a nature that 
there were few days we could 
not have gathered a bouquet from 
its branches. There were Gera¬ 
niums, both double and single. 
Two Marie Lemoines, who seemed 
on a strife which could produce 
the most and largest flowers. 
They were marvels of beauty. 
If there is another Geranium that 
can equal it, I would like to know 
its name. A Mahonia attracted 
much attention for many weeks. 
In the spring the pot was plunged 
in the bed, and the plant kept 
closely trimmed all summer. In the fall shifted to a 
larger pot, and let it grow. And it did grow. Its 
long, flexible branches interlaced and drooped over, 
making a very graceful, rounded bush, and by mid¬ 
winter every twig was thickly set with its little yellow 
cups, all turned bottom upwards, pouring forth their 
delightful fragrance until the whole house was filled. 
“O! how sweet!” was a common exclamation, 
as friends and neighbors entered the house. The 
same plant is now in the garden, undergoing sim¬ 
ilar treatment this summer. 
I would like to tell you about my Boses, Prim¬ 
roses, Ivies, Smilax and many other things, but 
fear this is already longer than will please our 
good editor. J. K. 
Aquatic Plants. —Nelumbium Luteum, also 
called Water Chinquapin, is a beautiful aquatic 
plant, found in many of the lakes, ponds, and 
still waters of Texas, Florida, and perhaps 
other Gulf States. Large leaves floating upon 
the water, and in June and July bears a large 
creamy-yellow bloom, in some respects similar to 
the Water Lily, in others, very dissimilar. The 
large torus full of seed that resembles an acorn 
or chinquapin, hence the name. A very suitable 
plant for ornamenting ponds or lakes. For 
: those partial to blue flowers, Pontederia Corda- 
ta, and other varieties, called Pickerel Weed, are 
aquatic plants with spikes of blue flowers. 
Flora Z. 
Madeira Vine. —In answer to Medora Ashen 
I would say that I have in my office a plant that 
was potted April 15 last, that has run over forty 
feet, and has three leaves that measure respectively 20, 
21 and 21| inches in circumference, so that she will 
have to try again to beat Suckerdom. If she will visit 
the Bock fiiver Valley I think we can show her many 
a rare floral specimen. G. B. Worth. 
Dixon, III. 
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